Nation urged to follow Allama Iqbal

By Shakeel Ahmed
Islamabad: President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have said that it is high time to revert to the message of Allama Muhammad Iqbal to find solution to the ills corroding the society and hindering the progress and prosperity.
In their separate messages on 142nd birth anniversary of great philosopher and thinker, Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, they said it is an occasion to recall and pledge for the nation to follow his message of self-awareness and self-esteem.
They said that Muslims of the Sub-continent would always remain indebted to the great visionary leader for his invaluable services.
They said Allama Iqbal infused a new spirit among the Muslims of the sub-continent, changed their thought process and provided them with a solid ideological foundation to strive for regaining their lost identity.
The great leader had also envisioned the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent and made remarkable contributions towards understanding the true message of Islam.
The President and Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the nation to pledge on this day to make even greater efforts for the fulfillment of the dream of our forefathers and move forward according to the teachings of Allama Iqbal for the greater good of our society and our beloved homeland.
Agencies add: The Pakistanis are celebrating the 142nd birth anniversary of the poet of East and philosopher Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal with traditional zeal and fervor.
Various literary, educational, political, social and cultural organizations have arranged special programmes to pay homage to the national poet and highlight different aspects of his life and teachings.
Iqbal is also called Muffakir-e-Pakistan (The Thinker of Pakistan) and Hakeem-ul-Ummat (The Sage of the Ummah).
Allama Iqbal was born on 9th November 1877 in Sialkot.
He passed his M.A in philosophy from Government College Lahore after which for higher education he went to London and from Lincoln’s Inn, he did his law.
He also did his PhD in philosophy from Germany’s Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich.
Among his 12,000 verses of poetry, about 7,000 verses are in Persian. Iqbal with his revolutionary poetry gave rebirth to the Muslims of the subcontinent.
He used to symbolize the Muslims with Shaheen (perigrine falcon) to motivate the Muslims who were suffering under British rule.
The idea of Iqbal’s poetry was unique. This was the reason why he is considered as Pakistan’s greatest philosopher.
The nation every year on 9th November gives a tribute to him on his efforts in the creation of Pakistan. This day is marked as Yom-E-Iqbal also known as Iqbal Day in the loving memory of Allama Iqbal.